>> COMING UP ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT," CANDIDATE MIKE NEWMAN WHO SEEKS THE FOURTH DISTRICT SEAT ON THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SITS DOWN TO ARGUE WHY HE IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB.

ALSO, THE ONGOING SCANDAL SURROUNDING FORMER ARCADIA MAYOR AND COUNCILMAN BRETT WATSON CONTINUES TO SNOWBALL AS THE CITY TAKES PUNITIVE ACTION.

COMING UP NEXT ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT."

LIVE CC BY ABERDEEN CAPTIONING 800-688-6621 WWW.ABERCAP.COM LIVE FROM THE TOP OF HUMBOLDT HILL.

THIS IS "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT."

I'M JAMES FAULK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE HAVE BEEN HOSTING A SERIES OF CANDIDATE FORUMS THESE PAST TWO WEEKS.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.

THIS PROCESS OF CANDIDATES SEEKING VOTES, MEDIA DIGGING INTO RELATED STORIES IS A PART OF THE RITUAL WE USE TO SELECT APPROPRIATE CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

IT IS EASY TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE WISELY.

TONIGHT AFTER OUR REPORT WITH MIKE NEWMAN, WE WILL HEAR FROM ERIC BLACK ABOUT FLAK OVER ARCADIA CITY COWENSMAN BRETT WATSON.

HE HAS BEEN ACCUSED BY A CITY EMPLOYEE AND HAS LEFT THE CITY RIVETED AND DISGUSTED.

I WON'T COMMENT ON THE TRUTH OR NOT OF THE PARTICULAR ACCUSATIONS AGAINST WATSON, BUT AS THE REACTION AGAINST HIM GROWS AND WE CONTINUE TO MERGE FROM A CONTENTIOUS FEW YEARS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THIS SEEMS LIKE AN IDEAL TIME TO REMIND CANDIDATES EVEN IF THEY ARE ULTIMATELY ELECTED TO THE POSITIONS THEY SEEK, IT IS ALL ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE, NOT SERVICING YOUR EGO.

IT IS A PARADOX.

THOSE DRAWN TO SEEK PUBLIC OFFICE AND POLITICAL POWER ARE OFTEN TYPE A PERSONALITIES, CONFIDENT AND EXTROVERTED, AT TIMES AGGRESSIVE.

IT IS IMPORTANT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS REMAIN HUMBLE AND ARE CHOSEN TO SERVE NOT COMMAND OUR COMMUNITIES.

IF YOUR ARE A DISTRACTION OR YOU ECLIPSE THE PUBLIC, IT MAY BE TIME TO TAKE A LONG LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE SEEKING OFFICE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH SHOW BOATS, MEDIA HOUND, PERFORMANCE ARTISTS TO LAST A LIFE TIME.

DO US ALL A FAVOR AND BOW OUT BEFORE YOU ARE WASHED OUT.

MIKE NEWMAN, MEMBER OF THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY SUPERVISORS THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> YOU BET, JAMES.

>> LET'S START OFF WITH THE BASICS, THE BIOGRAPHICAL STUFF.

WHO IS MIKE NEWMAN AND WHY DO YOU WANT THE JOB ON THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE IN GIVING BACK TO MY COMMUNITY AND IT IS AN IMPORTANT FUTURE FOR HUMBOLDT COUNTY RIGHT NOW.

I BELIEVE WE ARE AT A TIME IN OUR HISTORY WITH ALL THE CHANGES WITH CANNABIS TANKING AND OTHER THING AND CALPOLY, THE POSSIBLE WIND FARM OFF THE OCEAN SO WE CAN DEVELOP PART OF THE BAY, THE NORDIC FISH FARM COMING UP HERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD POSSIBILITIES THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN SINCE I MOVED HERE IN 1983.

>> YEAH.

A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY LIKE RIGHT OFF THE CUSP HERE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO DO, I MEAN, YOU MENTIONED THE EXPANSE OF CAL POLY, THIRD DISTRICT, BUT AFFECTS THE WHOLE COUNTY.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THAT EXPANSION?

>> WELL, HOUSING.

HOUSING IS A BIG DEAL.

FOR ALL OF THIS EXPANSION, WE REALLY NEED TO HAVE MORE HOUSING OF ALL TYPES.

NOT JUST LOWER INCOME, BUT ALL THE TYPES.

WE NEED UPPER, WE NEED MEDIUM, WE NEED WORKING CLASS FOLKS HOMES.

APARTMENTS.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT MAKE CONDOMINIUMS, MORE OF THOSE.

AND REALLY LOOK OVER OUR HOUSING STOCK, MAYBE CONVERT SOME THINGS INTO SOME OF OUR OLDER VICTORIANS THAT ARE RUN DOWN, TRY AND TO HAVE THEM TO WHERE THEY COULD BE CONDOMINIUMS AND OWNER OCCUPIED WITH THOSE APARTMENTS BUILT IN.

LIKE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND IN BUSINESS.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT BACKGROUND AND WHY YOU THINK IT HELPS PREPARE YOU FOR A POSITION ON THE BOARD.

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT I'VE GOT A PERSPECTIVE OVER THE YEARS.

I HAD TO MAKE PAYROLL.

I HAD MY OWN ALLSTATE INSURANCE OFFICE.

THAT'S WHAT I STARTED OFF WITH IN 1986.

AFTER COMING UP THE 101 WITH AN OLD JOB WITH LONG'S DRUGSTORE CHAIN.

IF ANYONE REMEMBERS LONG'S DRUGS.

>> THE MALL LOCATION?

>> NO.

THIS WAS THE ONLY ONE AROUND.

THAT WAS MERLIN WEST.

THAT WAS THE ONLY ONE THEN.

YOU'D HAVE LINES BACKING UP, BUT I REGRESS THERE.

I LEARNED RETAIL FROM LONG'S, BEING THERE FOR 10 YEARS.

BUT I FOUND IT WASN'T GOOD FOR FAMILY LIFE.

I WAS WORKING WEEKENDS AND NIGHTS ALL THE TIME.

>> SURE.

>> I DECIDED I REALLY WANTED TO STAY HERE AND I DECIDED A NEW CAREER WOULD PROBABLY BE IN ORDER.

AND ALLSTATE WAS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE.

I TESTED WELL AND, YOU KNOW, TO MY SURPRISE THEY SAID, OKAY.

WE'LL HELP YOU OUT.

THEY DIDN'T HELP ME OUT WITH GIVING ME ANY INSUREDS AT ALL.

I HAD TO KNOCK ON DOORS AND MAKE PHONE CALLS >> YOU HAD TO GET OUT THERE.

>> I HAD TO GET OUT THERE AND WORK IT IN ORDER TO MAKE IT SUCCEED, BUT I DID.

IT GAVE ME MORE TIME WITH MY KIDS, COACHING AND ALL OF THAT WHEN THEY WERE GROWING UP.

FOR THE FIRST 14 YEARS I HAD AN ALLSTATE AGENCY, MADE PAYROLL.

HAD EMPLOYEES.

I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A SMALL EMPLOYER.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE THAT PAYROLL AND MAKE THOSE WAGES AND PAY PEOPLE WELL.

>> YEAH.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SORT OF MENTIONED IT, WE HAVE ALL OF THESE THINGS IN THE OFFING FOR HUMBOLDT COUNTY'S BIGGER PICTURE.

IT IS INTERESTING TO WATCH THE BATTLES BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAINTAIN A RURAL QUALITY OF LIFE.

WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE BALANCE THERE?

IF WE CAN BRING IN INDUSTRY, BUT OFTENTIMES THAT MIGHT COME AT A COST IN TERMS OF TRAFFIC OR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OR WHATEVER.

HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY THINK WE COULD STRIKE THAT BALANCE BETWEEN LIFESTYLE AND ECONOMIC WELL BEING?

>> WELL, WE'RE NOT GOING HAVE THOSE BIG CORPORATIONS, THOSE BIG COMPANIES COMING IN WITH ALL SORTS OF ACREAGE OF BUILDINGS AND ALL OF THAT.

WE'RE JUST NOT LARGE ENOUGH.

WE'RE NOT -- WE'RE ISOLATED.

WE'RE STILL ISOLATED, BUT WE DO HAVE ALL OF THE AMENITIES.

WE'VE GOT THE OCEAN RIGHT CLOSE BY.

WE HAVE THE MODERATE TEMPERATURES THAT I LOVE AND WE CAN ESCAPE DOWN SOUTH 30, 45 MINUTES, GET ALL THE HEAT WE WANT, OR GO EAST ON THE 299 UP IN THE MOUNTAINS AND GET THE HEAT WE WANT, TOO.

RECREATION IS IMPORTANT.

FISHING.

ALL OF THAT IS CLOSE BY.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURIALSHIP, SATELLITE OFFICES, OFFICE TYPE, WITH FIBER OPTIC CABLE COMING ON SHORE, WE WILL HAVE ACCESS TO SUPER HIGH SPEED.

GOOGLE IS PLANNING ON PUTTING AN OFFICE IN HERE.

WE WILL HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES IN ORDER TO HAVE PEOPLE WORK FROM HOME SO TO SPEAK AND THEN WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR AIRPORT UP.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO -- >> THAT IS AN ISSUE YOU'VE WORKED ON BEFORE, RIGHT?

>> YES.

YES.

I WAS ON THE RREDC AS PART OF MY CITY COUNCIL STINT BACK IN 2010-2014.

YEAH, REDECK.

REDWOOD REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

GREG FOSTER HAS BEEN A GREAT JIM THERE DOING THAT, TIRELESS.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN THE CHALLENGE OF THE AIRPORT, ATTRACTING AIRLINES AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED HERE?

>> WELL, IT IS A COMBINATION OF THINGS.

MAINLY ABOUT OUR PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE FLYING OUT AND INTO OUR AIRPORT IN ORDER TO GENERATE THE REVENUE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS TO SEE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE MATCHING FUNDS OR EVEN MORE FUNDS IN ORDER TO KEEP IT UP AND KEEP GOING.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE HSU EXPANSION MIGHT HELP WITH?

>> IT WILL.

PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME USING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT ACCESS TO FLY OUT OF HERE FREQUENTLY AND TO REGULAR PLACES THAT THEY CAN THEN HUB OUT OF.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE OFTEN OBSESSED WITH THE QUOTE-UNQUOTE LEFT-RIGHT SPLIT IN POLITICS.

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU FALL IN THAT CONTINUUM AND HOW WOULD YOU LOOK TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL, YOU KNOW, TONE OF HOW THE BOARD OPERATES >> WELL, I THINK YOU CAN SEE FROM MY PLANNING COMMISSION EXPERIENCE I'M A MODERATE, MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

I LIKE TO LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES OR TO ALL SIDES.

>> YEAH.

>> WHEN SOMETHING COMES BEFORE US, I DON'T HAVE ANY MIND MADE UP.

I WANT TO LISTEN.

AND I ASK QUESTIONS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS AND THAT IS WHY IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A VARIETY OF PEOPLE THERE.

HAVING THOSE QUESTIONS TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT MAY HAPPEN DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE THOSE WILL HAVE REPERCUSSIONS, MORE SO THAN JUST IMMEDIATE.

SO I TRY TO LOOK DOWN THE ROAD.

SO I GAVE UP MY AFFILIATION, I GAVE UP THE POLITICAL PARTIES BACK IN 2010 ON PURPOSE BECAUSE I GOT TIRED OF SEEING THAT SPLIT.

IT WAS GOING BAD THEN.

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS EVEN WORSE NOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE NEED COMPROMISE AND THAT'S WHERE I BELIEVE I CAN BRING PEOPLE IN THERE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THINGS.

WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE.

>> MM-HMM.

>> BUT WE NEED TO GO FORWARD ON MANY ISSUES AND MANY THINGS.

SO THAT'S WHERE I THINK I CAN BRING IN AND BRING THAT TO THE TABLE THAT I AM A LISTENER AND WILL MAKE DECISIONS AND NOT JUST KEEP GOING WITH STUDY AFTER STUDY AFTER STUDY AND KEEP THINGS AT BAY.

YOU HAVE TO ACT ON THINGS.

THEN YOU CAN TRIM THE SAILS, SO IS TO SPEAK.

>> YEAH.

>> MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED IS THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE CAN DO TO HELP GROWERS FLOURISH?

THERE IS AN IDEA TO NIX THE CULT VA TOR TAX.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CALIFORNIA NIXING THAT.

MEASURE S SHOULD CHANGE SO IT IS AN AGRICULTURAL-BASED TAX, WHEN YOU SELL SOMETHING THERE IS A TAX BASED ON WHAT YOU ARE SELLING IT FOR.

SO THERE ARE ADJUSTMENTS THAT PROBABLY NEED TO BE MADE ON THAT.

>> OKAY.

>> SINCE THEY PUT A HOLD ON IT FOR RIGHT NOW, THAT'S GOOD.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THINGS COME BACK HERE.

>> YEAH.

>> HOPEFULLY I'M ON THE SUPERVISORS BOARD AT THAT TIME AND WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THAT THEN.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THEY APPROVED TOO MANY PERMITS IN THE BEGINNING?

I HAVE HEARD THAT CLAIMED BY SOME CULTIVATORS?

OR DO YOU THINK IT IS JUST AS A RESULT OF THE MYRIAD ISSUES THAT ARE COALESCING RIGHT NOW FOR THAT PARTICULAR MARKET?

>> WELL, I THINK IT IS A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT IS A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT THINGS ALL COMING TO A HEAD.

>> YEAH.

>> WITH THE GLUT.

IT IS JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE.

IF YOU HAVE TOO MUCH OF IT, THE PRICE GOES DOWN BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT MORE THAN WHAT IS DEMANDED.

>> MM-HMM.

>> SO I THINK OUR AREA IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO SPECIALIZE IN CERTAIN TYPES, SIMILAR TO THE NAPA VALLEY FOR VINE OR SEW HOME INA COUNTY.

>> SURE.

>> -- SONOMA COUNTY.

WE SHOULD CONTINUE THAT CURVE.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE DOWN HERE, BUT IT WILL SHAKE OUT.

>> YEAH.

YOU HAVE SOME HISTORY WORKING ON THE ADDICTION ISSUE WHICH WE WERE TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BEFORE THE SHOW.

YOU WORKED ON THE MACK CENTER.

CAN YOU TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON HUMBOLDT COUNTY'S ADDICTION PROBLEM AND WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE DONE TO MAKE IT -- TO SORT OF CONTINUE FRONT IT, I GUESS?

>> WELL, THAT'S BEEN ONE OF MY HEART THINGS THERE.

I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS, I'VE SEEN IT FIRSTHAND.

MY FATHER, MY BROTHER, HAVE GONE THROUGH ADDICTIONS.

ALCOHOL WAS THEIR PART THERE.

IT CAN DRAG PEOPLE DOWN AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY CAN SEEK HELP, SO I WANT TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

BACK WHEN I WAS ON THE COUNCIL, WE STARTED LOOKING TOWARDS DHHS GOING OUT WITH THE POLICE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN ORDER TO HELP CALM THINGS DOWN ON THE STREET.

BECAUSE POLICE ARE NOT ENTIRELY EQUIPPED JUST TO HANDLE WHAT IS GOING ON THERE.

SO WORKING WITH DHHS AND ON THE ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY BENEFIT BOARD, WE HELPED BRING ABOUT FUNDING IN ORDER TO OPEN UP THE WATERFRONT RECOVERY CENTER WHEN THE MACK WENT AWAY.

BECAUSE THE FUNDING FROM THE STATE AND FEDS DRIED UP FOR FAMILY TRANSITION.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT THERE WAS MONEY FOR ADDICTION AND RECOVERY CENTERS.

AND JOHN McMANUS WAS DRIVEN.

>> I HAD HIM ON THE SHOW.

>> WE MET WEEKLY.

>> YES.

GOD BLESS HIS SOUL.

HE WAS A BIG DRIVER ON THAT.

AND HAVING HIM THERE WAS GOD SEND.

>> YEAH.

ADDICTION IS CLOSELY TIED IN WITH HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH H WHAT CAN THE COUNTY DO IN THAT GUARD?

ARE THERE MODEL PROGRAMS THAT ARE WORKING FOR HOMELESSNESS?

>> THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT DO WORK, BUT NOT ALL WILL WORK EXACTLY THE SAME HERE.

>> SURE.

>> THAT IS WHERE YOU HAVE TO ADAPT AND GO FORTH.

WE ARE SEEING MORE MONEY FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

AFTER THE PROPOSITION WAS PASSED FOR MENTAL HEALTH BACK IN, I THINK IT WAS 2015, IT HAS BEEN SLOW TO MAKE THAT MONEY TRAIL BACK HERE TO THE RURAL AREAS.

>> YEAH.

>> IT FIRST WENT INTO THE BIG CITIES.

>> OF COURSE.

YEAH.

>> AND THE URBAN AREAS WHERE THE FOLKS ARE.

>> IT IS FUNNY HOW THAT WORKS.

>> IT IS COMING HERE.

WE HAVE MONEY NOW THAT SENATOR McGWIRE HELPED GET.

SO DHHS IS LOOKING FOR A FACILITY.

THERE'S $2 MILLION AVAILABLE.

IT WON'T BE TO PURCHASE, BUT IT IS TO LEASE.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A FACILITY FOR 10 TO 12 BEDS THAT COULD HOUSE THE -- HAVE A RESIDENTIAL CARE UP TO 30 DAYS.

>> TRANSITIONAL.

>> TRANSITIONAL AND STABILIZE AND HELP THOSE FOLKS GET INTO A PLACE WHERE THEY'RE THINKING MORE CLEAR AND THEN WE CAN MAKE THE NEXT STEP THERE.

>> YEAH.

>> SO THAT'S ON THE WAY AND YOUNG PEOPLE, TOO.

THAT'S ON THE WAY EVEN CLOSER HERE WITH OUR YOUTH.

>> WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT, SO NOT MUCH TIME.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST PRIORITY?

WHAT WOULD YOU BE GUNNING TO LOOK AT RIGHT AWAY?

>> GUNNING TO LOOK AT.

>> NOT A VERY GOOD TURN OF PHRASE.

>> YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

IT WOULD BE MULTIDIMENSIONAL.

THE BUDGET IS GOING BE BIG HERE COMING UP HERE IN JULY.

WE'LL BE LOOKING AT HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH.

AND HOMELESS.

IT IS GOING BE MULTIFACETED.

IT WON'T BE ONE THING, BUT MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT ALONG WITH THE HOMELESS AND HOUSING.

>> EXCELLENT, SIR.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, JAMES.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THIS SHORT BREAK.

>> ON TUESDAY THE ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL PUNISHED ONE OF THEIR OWN MES FOR SEXUALLY HARASSING AN EMPLOYEE.

THE CITY RESTRICTED BRETT WATSON'S ACCESS TO CITY STAFF.

>> AN OUTSIDE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED BEGINNING IN 2019, WATSON ABUSED HIS POWER AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.

>> BY EXPECTING THE EMPLOYEE TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM OUT OF CITY HALL, TO RESPOND HIS CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES OUTSIDE OF REGULAR WORK HOURS, TO ENGAGE IN COMMUNICATIONS OF A PERSONAL NATURE AND TO HUG HIM EACH TIME THEY MET IN HIS CAPACITY AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.

>> IT IS POWER AND CONTROL.

THREATENING THE EMPLOYEE'S JOB REPEATEDLY.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE SENSE TO DO WHATEVER TO GET BACK TO THE BUSINESS YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO.

WE MUST CONSIDER THE REAL POSSIBILITY HE DOESN'T HAVE THE HUMILITY TO RESIGN.

>> THERE IS ZERO CHANCE I'M GOING RESIGN.

>> A DEFIANT WATSON DID NOT DISPUTE THE MAIN FACTS REVEALED IN THE INVESTIGATION.

HE ALSO DID NOT APOLOGIZE.

INSTEAD, IN A NEARLY HALF HOUR DEFENSE OF HIS BEHAVIOR, WATSON REFERENCED TEXT MESSAGES SENT BY THE EMPLOYEE AND FEATURED IN THE REPORT DEMONSTRATES A CONSENSUAL, NONSEXUAL EMOTIONAL RELATIONSHIP.

>> THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF EVIDENCE SHE LOOKED FORWARD TO SPENDING TIME WITH ME.

SHE BAKED ME COOKIES.

SENT ME PICTURES OF VACATIONS AND SENT ME UNSOLICITED TEXTS ON WEEKENDS.

>> SOMETIMES THEY DOWN PLAY THE HARASSMENT HOPING IT WILL GO AWAY AND YEAH, SOMETIMES THEY BAKE THEIR HARASSER COOKIES TO KEEP THE PEACE AND NOT HAVING SPONTANEOUS PERFORMANCE REVIEWS.

>> WATSON IS NOT ACCUSED OF COMMITTING A CRIME.

THE INVESTIGATOR DID CONCLUDE WATSON VIOLATED THE CITY'S HARASSMENT POLICY.

NONE OF THE 13 PUBLIC SPEAKERS DEFENDED WATSON, BUT BECAUSE HE WAS ELECTED HE CANNOT BE FIRED NOR PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE.

IN A 3-1 VOTE WITH WATSON DISSENTING, THE COUNCIL IMPOSED THESE LIMITATIONS.

IT IS UNLIKELY CONSTITUENTS COULD ESTABLISH A RECALL ELECTION UNTIL THE ELECTION WHEN WATSON CEASE IS CONTESTED.

THE NEW COUNCIL PERSON COULD TAKE A SEAT IN CITY HALL.

>> NICE JOB, ERIC.

WE PREVIEW STEVEN STEWARD AS HE TRIED TO MAKE THE LEAP FROM PROSECUTOR TO HUMBOLDT COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE.

>> I SAT DOWN WITH STEVEN STEWARD WHO IS RUNNING FOR HUMBOLDT COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE, A VERY IMPORTANT ELECTED POSITION FOR THOSE NEEDING TO NAVIGATE THE LOCAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM FOR ANY REASON.

CONTRASTING HIMSELF WITH BEN McLAUGHLIN WHO IS RUNNING FOR THE SEAT, STEWART HIGHLIGHTED HIS EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

>> I THINK THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE IS I HAVE A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE.

MY EXPERIENCE IS NOT JUST A TALLY OF HOURS OR DAYS IN THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT.

I WORKED ON CAPITOL HILL.

I HAVE THAT LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE.

JUDGES ARE CALLED UPON FREQUENTLY TO LOOK AT LEGISLATIVE INTENT BEHIND CERTAIN LAWS.

AND SO HAVING THAT PERSPECTIVE IS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE THAT I BELIEVE I CAN BRING TO THE POSITION.

>> WAS IT YOUR IDEA TO RUN FOR THE JUDGESHIP OR WAS THIS POSED TO YOU AND YOU SAID, OH, SOUNDS GREAT?

>> THIS WAS MY IDEA.

I HAVE BEEN A LITIGATOR FOR 12 YEARS NOW.

I HAVE BEEN A DEFENSE ATTORNEY AS WELL AS A PROSECUTOR.

I HAVE SOUGHT JUSTICE THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, BOTH ON THE DEFENSE SIDE AS WELL AS ON THE PROSECUTION SIDE.

>> BECAUSE WHOEVER WINS THE SEAT WILL BE GOING DIRECTLY INTO THE FAMILY LAW COURT TO WEIGH IN ON DECISIONS REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DIVORCE, CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION MATTERS, I ASKED STEWARD HOW HE FELT ABOUT DEALING WITH THE FAMILY LAW COURT.

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WILL BE THE POSITION THAT, IF ELECTED, WOULD BE THE FIRST POSITION -- THAT I WOULD BE ASSIGNED TO.

I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN FAMILY LAW.

I PARTICIPATED AND WAS A MEMBER OF A CLINIC IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WHERE I LIVED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS THAT SUPPORTED AND HELPED VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEALING WITH GETTING PROTECTIVE ORDERS, DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES THAT THEY WERE FACING.

I AM WELL VERSED IN THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT AND WORKED ON MANY CASES WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO GET WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR INDIGENT CLIENTS WHO HAD BEEN, UNFORTUNATELY, THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

SO I'M READY FOR THE JOB TO START ON DAY ONE.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT IS INVOLVED.

I AM ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT TAKING THAT ROLE AND DOING THAT POSITION.

>> ADDRESSING POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BETWEEN JUDGES, SPECIFICALLY IN REGARD TO THE POSSIBILITY HUMBOLDT COULD HAVE A PAIR OF JUDGES UNDER ONE ROOF AS DOMESTIC PARTNERS, STEWARD EXPLAINED WHY THIS MAY BE PROBLEMATIC IF HIS CHALLENGER SHOULD WIN THE SEAT.

>> WHEN ANYBODY WHO IS WORKING, ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY LIKE OURS BECOMES JUDGE, THERE ARE GOING BE CONFLICTS IN TERMS OF CASES YOU PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON: I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAUSES FURTHER BACKLOGS IN OUR SYSTEM.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH ALL THE CASES WE HAVE.

JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.

SO ANYTHING THAT MAY POTENTIALLY CAUSE FURTHER DELAYS, I DO THINK IS PROBLEMATIC.

>> OKAY.

>> AND MOST OF OUR JUDGES NOW WHO HAVE COME FROM EITHER PRIVATE PRACTICE OR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE HAVE HAD THOSE CONFLICTS P WHEN THAT HAPPENS THEY EXPLAIN THEY HAVE A CONFLICT ON A CERTAIN CASE AND THAT CASE FILE GETS SENT TO ANOTHER JUDGE.

I THINK I AM THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB.

I CARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY.

I WANT THIS TO BE A SAFE AND EQUITABLE PLACE FOR EVERYONE.

I BELIEVE IN FAIRNESS.

EVERYBODY SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY BEFORE THE LAW REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU COME FROM OR WHO YOU ARE OR HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE.

>> FOR "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT", I'M RYAN HUDSON.

>> IF YOU MISSED KEET'S FORUMS LAST WEEK, WE PUT THIS BRIEF HIGHLIGHT REEL FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY LOOKING TO EARN THE NOD.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS PRIORITIES.

WE HAVE THE MOST INCARCERATED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

THE WORLD RECORD FOR INCARCERATION.

WE HAVE FOUR TIMES THE INCARCERATION OF RUSSIA AT THIS POINT.

WE HAVE MORE INCARCERATED PEOPLE THAN CHINA AND THEY HAVE A POPULATION FOUR TIMES OUR SIZE.

RECONCILING THAT WITH THE FACT WE ARE NOT IN THE TOP 10 OF THE SAFEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD IS THE MAJOR JOB OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.

IF WE ARE THE MOST INCARCERATED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WE SHOULD BE THE SAFE ETS COUNTRY AND WE ARE NOT.

IT HAS TO DO WITH OUR PRIORITIES, TRANSPARENCY, TOO MANY RESOURCES GOING TOWARDS NON-VIOLENT CRIMES AND NOT BEING FOCUSED ON VIOLENT CRIMES, MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND PROPERTY CRIMES WHO LOWER THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY AND TRADED FOR MORE LUCRATIVE REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES OF DRUG CASES.

>> IMPORTANT TO NOTE SINCE TERMINATION FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WE HAVE A TEAM OF EXPERIENCED QUALIFIED ETHICAL PROSECUTORS, EACH WELL EQUIPPED TO HANDLE SERIOUS CASES, MURDERS, HOMICIDES, SEXUAL ASSAULTS.

I'M PROUD OF OUR TEAM AND I HAVE FAITH THEY WILL HANDLE THE CASE.

MR. KAMADA'S CONVICTION RECORD IS DEPLORABLE.

HE WANTS TO TAKE OVER THE LEAD CASES AS THE PROSECUTOR.

HE DOESN'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, HE DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY TRY SERIOUS CASES.

>> I'M ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE BECAUSE WE NEED CHANGE.

WE HAVE SKYROCKETING CRIME ALL AROUND US.

AND MS. EADS WANTS TO PUT HER HEAD IN THE SAND, PRETEND THAT DOESN'T EXIST AND CONTINUE WITH THE OLD WAYS OF DOING THINGS AND HOPING HER ATTACKS ON ME WITH NUMBERS THAT ARE NOT TRUE OUT OF HER AND ME, I'M THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS DONE HOMICIDE CASES, HOMICIDE JURY TRIALS AND I HAVE WON ALL THE ONES I HAVE DONE.

SO THAT IS A MISREPRESENTATION AND I THINK IT IS VERY INTERESTING SHE SPENT MOST OF HER TIME THIS EVENING ATTACKING ME, RATHER THAN GIVING THE FOLKS WHAT SHE'LL DO AS A DA.

>> STAY TUNED, STAY INFORMED.